HOUSTON: Seventeen thoughts for 17 fourth-quarter shots by the Rockets in a 105-103 overtime loss…

1. A number of Cavs players left Toyota Center shaking their heads and grumbling about James Harden’s karate kick at LeBron James’ crotch. They generally believed the kick was intentional, and although Harden may not have been aiming at James’ goods, the fact is that’s where his Nike landed.

2. If Harden is assessed a flagrant-2 and ejected, as a number of Cavs players believe should’ve happened, this game obviously could’ve turned out much differently. “I thought it was dirty,” J.R. Smith said.

HOUSTON : LeBron James missed a pair of free throws in the final seconds of overtime and the Cavs lost a thriller 105-103 to the Houston Rockets on Sunday. It capped a miserable day for James from the free-throw line, who finished just 3-for-11 while making 3 of his last 11 shots from the floor during the fourth quarter and overtime.

James scored 37 points and James Harden countered with 33 in a memorable battle between two of the contenders to win the Most Valuable Player award.

James’ struggles at the line, however, cost the Cavs dearly. His last two misses came with four seconds left and trailing by one point.

The Cavs had a chance to win it at the end of regulation, but missed four looks at the rim in the final 26 seconds, the last being a contested jumper from James in the final seconds.

Kyrie Irving will miss his second game Sunday because of a strained left shoulder. Irving missed Friday’s loss at the Indiana Pacers and coach David Blatt was hopeful Irving could rejoin the team in Houston, but the team announced Saturday he was still in Cleveland receiving treatment and has been ruled out.

LeBron James also missed Friday’s loss to the Pacers, but is still expected to return Sunday to face the Rockets.

INDIANAPOLIS: Twenty-one thoughts for 21 points from J.R. Smith in an experimental 93-86 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday…

1. When David Blatt was discussing his decision to rest LeBron James tonight, among his points was that this game provided an opportunity for others to do something out of the ordinary. That helps explain how Matthew Dellavedova took more shots than J.R. Smith, but it also explains Iman Shumpert’s second half.

2. For all the howls and criticisms lobbed at Delly, he’s not going anywhere. Blatt and the rest of this coaching staff loves him, and watching him get tossed to the ground while fighting 7-foot-2 Roy Hibbert for a rebound helps explain why. Of course, a career-high 18 shots tonight did seem a bit aggressive for someone shooting 36 percent this season...

INDIANAPOLIS: J.R. Smith scored 21 points and Kevin Love had 17 points and 10 rebounds, but the short-handed Cavs kept the game close in the final minute before falling to the Indiana Pacers 93-86 on Friday.

The Cavs were playing without both LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. James was resting while Irving was out with a strained left shoulder. Both are expected back when the Cavs play at Houston on Sunday.

Despite missing two of their biggest stars, the Cavs wee within 88-84 following a 3-pointer from Smith with 1:06 left before the Pacers held on. George Hill had 15 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his first career triple-double for the Pacers, who made Frank Vogel the winningest coach in team history with the victory.

Matthew Dellavedova set a career high in shot attempts, but finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while shooting 5 for 18 in a rare start. Iman Shumpert had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

INDIANAPOLIS: LeBron James and Kyrie Irving will not play tonight when the Cavs host the Indiana Pacers. Irving was ruled out with a left shoulder strain, while coach David Blatt made the decision to rest James after his back stiffened during Thursday’s win over the Warriors.

Blatt said the decision to rest James was based on “a combination of things” and not one specific ailment. Blatt made the decision himself.

“It was not his idea, it was mine. Let’s put it that way,” Blatt said. “We have our hand on the pulse of LeBron and all our players. We’re doing what we have to do here to keep our team healthy all the way through the season.”

Irving had an MRI Friday on his shoulder after he injured it in Thursday’s victory. Blatt is hopeful he can return Sunday when the Cavs play at the Houston Rockets.

2. At one point, a discussion about the MVP race surfaced. NBA TV’s Matt Winer, the event’s moderator, referred to James as a four-time MVP and to Curry as the favorite to win it this year. I wasn’t taking notes so I’m paraphrasing here, but James paused before offering a flimsy endorsement, agreeing with the idea Curry is the favorite to win. I remember thinking at the time, “There is absolutely no way he actually believes that.” His performance Thursday perhaps introduced his candidacy for a late run at a fifth trophy of his own.